For many Syrian households, Idlib is the refuge of last resort, after their forced displacement from homes in other parts of the country. But it also hazards becoming a sanctuary without exits- what activists have worded a “kill-box” from which there is no escape. The Syrian army, backed by Russian and Iranian forces, is entrenched to the south and east.

The route north is blocked by Turkish forces occupying Syria's Afrin region. Along with Free Syrian Army( FSA) rebels, they have confiscated a crescent-shaped area around Idlib. The Turks last week set up “observation posts” ringing the province. For this reason, many refugees from the Damascus area have instead fled south to the rebel enclave in Dara'a. But a fresh government offensive is also feared there.

As the last remaining province not controlled by Bashar al-Assad's forces, Idlib is the assemble phase for both opponents of the Syrian president's regime and those who simply have nowhere else to run. But their situation is dire, with approximately 1.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

Residents of east Ghouta, outside Damascus, were bussed there after the besieged enclave fell to regime forces-out earlier this year. A similar operation took place last week, involving people from the Yarmouk refugee camp and Hajar al-Aswad, close to the capital.

Russia is also pushing for an end to the seven-year conflict: this message was delivered in person to Assad by Vladimir Putin this month. Meanwhile, schemes by Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from Syria, plus the ending of all US aid for Idlib, may be interpreted by Assad as a green light.

Assad's position was boosted last week when he eventually achieved control of all areas around Damascus. The almost daily aerial bombardment of Idlib by Syrian and Russian forces is expected to be stepped up.

Many of these informal civil initiatives are led by women, who have been unexpectedly thrust into leadership roles by the war. This is due in part to the absence of parents, spouses and sons, who are fighting, missing or dead, and to the breakdown of traditional societal conventions and taboo governing what girls may or may not do.

Overall, the Syrian conflict has disproportionately affected women and girls. In particular, widened control by conservative extremist groups has exacerbated the exclusion of women from leadership roles. But women in Idlib are pushing back.” Facing attacks from all sides, civil society in Idlib continues to operate with remarkable effectiveness and determination ,” the report says.” In areas best-known internationally for carnages, there are untold narratives of hundreds of groups providing the services civilians need to survive .”

As much as any future peace settlement imposed from outside, these self-help initiatives point the way forward for postwar Syria, the report says.” Idlib's civil society represents the best chance for free and democratic institutions … Idlib stands at a critical point, but if international legislators, donors, international NGOs and policymakers invest in civil society, we will see ideas and solutions flourish .”

All we've been through has constructed us stronger

Mariam Shirout is administrator and teacher at an after-school support institute for children. She is also a co-founder of the Syrian Organisation for Women and director of the women's bureau at civil activist group Zoom In .